We left on our second day at Orchha for Jhansi. On the way one of the car’s tyre got punctured. This happened on the way from Bharatpur to Deeg also. The same tyre was punctured. Spent around 45 minutes out of which 30 minutes were spent between the driver and the mechanic negotiating on the price for the tube to be replaced. While we were waiting there, I could see quite a few vehicles carrying the Samajwadi Party’s flag going on the route to Jhansi. There was some meeting somewhere. After all this we were on the way to Jhansi. The first stop in Jhansi was the fort. The entry fee to the fort is Rs 5/- per person. For foreign nationals I think it it Rs 100/- per person. I missed taking a snap of the entry fees board as I normally do. Here also we negotiated with the guide to show around for Rs 100/- from Rs 200/-. This fort was built by the king of Orchha. At the entrance of the fort there is a machine gun which was used by the British for protecting the fort. There are quite a few places to see inside the fort. Some of the places inside the fort were modified by the Britishers as per their needs. At the entrance of the gate there is plaque where the famous poem “Khoob Ladi Mardani Who Toh Jhansi Wali Rani Thi” is inscribed. It is said that Rani Laxmibai constructed 2 temples inside the fort and she used to personally gather flowers from Amod Garden daily for worship. There is also a spot which marks the place from where Rani Laxmibai jumped from the fort on a horse with her son on her back.

Machine Gun

Hanging Point

Jhansi Jail

Amod Garden

Shiva Temple

Ganesh Temple

Tombs Inside Fort

Canon

Canon

Jhansi City From Fort

Plaque

After the fort the next stop was Rani Mahal. After the death of the king, Rani Laxmibai ruled over Jhansi from here. There are quite a few artifacts inside the mahal and some beautiful frescoes also. The next stop was Laxmi Tal, a pool named after Rani Laxmibai. We were also supposed to see Gangadhar Rao’s chattri but were not able to identify it. It is situated near Laxmi Tal.

Rani Mahal

Jhansi Church

Frescoes

Laxmi Tal

Jhansi could be skipped if you are short on time. The big reason to include Jhansi which does not have much sights to see apart from the fort is my 3 year old son. My son was a regular viewer of the TV serial Jhansi Ki Rani. He would take a spoon, give one to me or my wife and say “Jhansi” and start to fight.

This ended our tour to Jhansi. We went back to Orchha to enjoy the evening by the River Betwa.

Originally Posted by aarosh The big reason to include Jhansi which does not have much sights to see apart from the fort is my 3 year old son. My son was a regular viewer of the TV serial Jhansi Ki Rani. He would take a spoon, give one to me or my wife and say “Jhansi” and start to fight.

... that is the most important factor in all itineraries Aarosh ...our families

Nice pics and write-up, Aarosh, as of course are some others you've been doing.

Apart from the fort (certainly worth it if you happen to be in the area, and with lots of history, not least to do with the Indian Mutiny, and then the history of this wider area of Bundelkhand), I found Jhansi pretty grubby and uninspiring, if not to say somewhat depressing, I take it you didn't think that much of it, either? Few seem to do.

My hotel staff advised me to visit some bazaar not far from the fort, but I never found it; not much English spoken on the streets at least in that area, either.

The fort itself I guess I spent a few hours to see it all at my leisure; as it straddles its hill at various levels, there's some climbing up & down to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroshThe entry fee to the fort is Rs 5/- per person.

Yes; note however that as usual and for the more significant monuments, it's rather dearer for foreign visitors. I can't find it online right now; probably somewhere in a Rs. 100-250 range or so (early 2010).

Originally Posted by machadinhaYes; note however that as usual and for the more significant monuments, it's rather dearer for foreign visitors. I can't find it online right now; probably somewhere in a Rs. 100-250 range or so (early 2010).

Agreed Mach. Normally I take a snap of the entry fees at most monuments. I do not know how I skipped/missed here. I also recollect some where near Rs 100/- for foreign nationals. I will edit my post. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinhaApart from the fort (certainly worth it if you happen to be in the area, and with lots of history, not least to do with the Indian Mutiny, and then the history of this wider area of Bundelkhand), I found Jhansi pretty grubby and uninspiring, if not to say somewhat depressing, I take it you didn't think that much of it, either? Few seem to do.

Yes. My driver was surprised when I informed him of my decision to visit Jhansi. He claimed that he normally drove foreign tourists in his vehicle and the normal route was leave Agra, see Gwalior fort and then night halt at Orchha. From Orchha to Khajuraho and return.

He was also surprised with our decision to see Deeg, Bateshwar and Datia.

I did not plan staying in Jhansi so no idea of any accommodations. It should take around 2-3 hours to see the Fort and the Rani Mahal. I do not recollect the opening and closing hours. I think it should be from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.